So Man City fans, how many of you guys woke up this morning with the biggest grin on your face? How many are still wondering how much money you now have in the coffers? How many are still wondering how City managed to lure Robinho away from Real Madrid and to the City of Manchester Stadium instead of Stamford Bridge? In fact, how many have Robinho on the back of your new jersey?
So yes, all is good now isn't it? City can now challenge United for the right to be called the best team in Manchester right? WRONG!!
Now I like Manchester City, at least I did until yesterday. For me, it's Chelsea all over again. The Abu Dhabi United Group take over on the last day of the transfer market and literally bid for every player, available or not.
"Berbatov, darn, United got him. Ok let's try for David Villa, nah no good there either, he's staying in Spain. Oh of course, Van Nistelrooy he'd love to get one over Fergie, no good from Real Madrid."
Then the light bulb goes off and City realize Robinho is looking for a new club with Real Madrid not willing to sell to a European rival, "Ahh, yes he'll do just fine".
In my opinion, Robinho's move was solely money related. I think the guy is overrated and not worth the money paid for him but he is an acquisition for any team playing in the Champions League so why settle for a team that will be lucky to qualify for the UEFA Cup?? I'll give you a hint: ££££££££££££££££££££££££!!!
Besides how many of these transfer targets were sanctioned by Mark Hughes? I'm willing to say none. Here is one of the finest young managers in British football and he has no control over his club.
He now has two options:
1) He can become a Mourinho and have little enough control over the team and eventually become a Grant and a mere puppet or
2) He can become a Ferguson and not take rubbish from the investors and state he is manager and he'll buy and sell whom he sees fit.
Sadly, I think he'll be alone as he is only at the club a few months and does not command the respect that Sir Alex does at the club down the road. If he needs further reasons to worry, just take a glimpse at Rafa Benitez at Liverpool and the trouble in the Anfield boardroom.
Anyway, buckets of cash don't always signify success. Yes it did work for Chelsea, but look at last year, how many trophies did they win? A lot of this can be put done to a lack of stability. Mourinho left and while Grant was no poorer a manager, the change unsettled the squad.
If you look at the two most successful teams in domestic competitions over the last ten years you notice one significant thing, both Ferguson and Wenger have been at the helm of their respective clubs all this time. They have the respect of the board, of the fans and of the players. One cannot get this respect if the manager's position is changed every other month.
Actually speaking of ten years ago, remember Leeds United? Yes, well ten years ago they reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and three years later they were in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Alas, a mere seven years later they are in League One far away from the glory days.
10 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Salaar Arshad Shamsi 10 months ago
Dr.Sulaiman has alot of money..nice article..but it could use a couple of touch ups..City are aiming for the sky..Robinho is a decent player..not really overrated..I dont think they can break the monopoly with any amount of money..only time will tell..Decent piece,Maire.
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Maire Ofeire 10 months ago
I agree Robinho ia a decent player but surely not worth the money paid for him?
Thanks for the comments and pointers :-)
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Brandon Evans 10 months ago
If City came crashing down it will be in a disasterous fireball, I couldn't imagine them returning from it! Its nice theres a couple of writers who are seeing through all the excitement and realise not all is well at City.
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Maire Ofeire 10 months ago
Thanks for the comment Brandon, I agree. You can't blame Man City fans but they have to realise that money doesn't always equal success.
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Ricky O'Neal 10 months ago
Robinho is not over rated but the price tag is inflated thats for sure. Certainly compliments his skills.
As for everything in the article you pretty much nailed it on the head. Like Brandon said there are some people who aren't getting caught in the hype but it's going to be so fun to see how this season pans out for them.
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Maire Ofeire 10 months ago
Hey Ricky, maybe overrated wasn't the correct word. I agree he's a decent player but as you said the price is inflated and I don't think he's a player that can help a team that last year was glad to finish in the top 10 to finish in the top 4.
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Zahi Sahli 10 months ago
decent article. although i disagree, money is pretty much everything today in football. simply because money means a decent squad, excellent players and a good manager.
Chelsea did it and now they are a force to be reckoned with in England and Europe. Man City will be world-class. Give them a year or two...
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Maire Ofeire 10 months ago
But Chelsea already had the structures in place. Furthermore, money may give you the players and squad but if a good manager is not allowed to manage the team his way then there is no point having the manager in there in the first place. Look at the way Abramovich forced Shevchencko onto Mourinho when he clearly didn't want him. And look at Newcastle and West Ham who lost their managers beacuse of interference from people who should be letting the manager do his job. I hop I'm wrong but I've a terrible feeling City may not become the force they hope to. Alot will depend on whether the new investors can let Hughes do his job his way.
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Stefan Vasilev 10 months ago
Good article ,Maire. The money will not do them good instantly. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the team and at the moment I dont see them challenging the big four.
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Maire Ofeire 10 months ago
Hey Stefan, Thanks for the comment. It's not that I don't like City but I may if they turn out to be the new Chelsea. Time will tell I suppose.
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